Nova Scotia was the busiest and most exciting part of our trip, with so many different places to see. We drove the famous Cabot Trail, spent time at Ingonish Beach, hiked the Skyline Trail, and visited Egypt Falls. We also explored Sydney, the colorful town of Lunenburg, the iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, and wrapped up our visit in Halifax. Each stop had something unique to offer.

Sydney

To get from PEI to Nova Scotia, we took a long ferry to Sydney. We walked around the boardwalk and stayed a night there. Over there, they have fishing, restaurants, shops, and… a giant fiddle.
Nova Scotia has a lot of Irish and Scottish influence, especially in Cape Breton Island, where Sydney is. Many Irish and Scottish immigrants settled there in the 18th and 19th centuries, and they brought their music, dance, and traditions with them.
The Big Fiddle in Sydney (officially called The World’s Largest Fiddle) celebrates this heritage. It represents the strong role of fiddle music in Cape Breton’s Irish-Scottish culture and how music became a big part of the island’s identity.

Cabot Trail

The Cabot Trail is a scenic highway that loops around the northern part of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It’s about 300 kilometers long and is known for its dramatic coastal views, winding mountain roads, and access to hikes like the Skyline Trail. Driving the Cabot Trail is considered one of the most beautiful road trips in Canada, and from my experience, it was the most beautiful drive I’ve been on. On one side, there are the mountains, and on the other side, the ocean stretches out into an infinite horizon — all the way across the Atlantic to Portugal. The trail has many lookout points to stop and enjoy the view, as well as beaches.

Ingonish Beach

We stopped at Ingonish Beach, another beautiful beach with powerful waves. Before entering the actual beach, there are all these round, colorful rocks that are completely natural. The sand was soft and smooth, and if you stood in the wet sand for long, your feet would start sinking.

Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail was a guided hike to the top of one of the mountains. As we were going through the forest, the guide was pointing out the bear and moose prints on the ground and the different kinds of plants in the forest. We got to have a beautiful view of the sunset.

Egypt Falls

A hidden gem of Nova Scotia is Egypt Falls. To get there, we had to go through a 40-minute hiking trail, which we didn’t know would be so difficult. There wasn’t a proper path, and at some points we had to go down very steeply. But once you get there, it’s worth it. The little waterfalls on the rocks, the running water, and the rocks with moss, made it look like a magical place, like something out of a wallpaper.

Lunenberg

Lunenburg is a colorful seaside town in Nova Scotia. It’s known for its brightly painted wooden houses, rich fishing history, and as the home of the famous Bluenose II, which is on the Canadian dime.

We first walked around the town, and went on the Bluenose II. After that, we ate a seafood roll, and some friend scallops. Then we went out of the town to get a townscape view of all the colorful houses.

Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove is one of the most iconic spots in Nova Scotia, famous for its lighthouse perched on rugged granite rocks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a small fishing village, but the dramatic scenery and crashing waves make it one of the most photographed places in Canada.

It was my parents’ and I’s favourite part of Nova Scotia. The sound of the waves, and sitting on the huge rocks watching the sunset was an unforgettable experience.

Halifax

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Atlantic Canada. It has a long military history, with the Halifax Citadel standing as a reminder of its role as a fortified city and naval base. Today, Halifax blends that history with a lively waterfront, cultural landmarks, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a highlight of the province.

We walked around downtown Halifax and met many shop-owners who were Muslim, and everyone was extremely welcoming. After walking around the harbour, we went on the Harbour Hopper Tour which was a guided tour of the city on a bus, and then turns into a boat and we went on the water to see the harbour. Once we’ve explored the harbour, we went to see the Halifax Public Garden, that has over 140 different tree species, and reflects the garden’s Victorian “Gardenesque” design.

To end our time in Halifax, we visited the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. We explored the different rooms of the fort, saw the soldiers in their various uniforms, and watched them perform on the bagpipes, a nod to the Irish-Scottish influence in the region. We also got to see a cannon being fired, which was really exciting!

Although the harbour and downtown was nice, it felt really similar to Montreal downtown and Old Port. The Citadel was very informative and interesting. However, my personal favourite thing from Halifax is the garden. It was beautiful etherial place with all kinds of plants, with the victorian feel, and lots of ducks!